Eibar, meanwhile, are looking to end the campaign in eighth place, a club best.

The Basque minnows, who earned promotion to the top flight for the first time in their history in 2014 and finished 14th last season, have enjoyed a strong campaign.

They drew 1-1 at Real Madrid in October and are hoping to upset Barca on Sunday.

"We are going to try and spring a surprise at the Camp Nou," ex Real Madrid playmaker Leon told Cadena Cope radio. "Barca are favourites and play at home.

"But we also went to the Bernabeu earlier this season and managed to get a draw. We want to take a positive result on Sunday. It's clear that all the focus seems to be on the Malaga game and that has allowed us to work in peace this week."

Real bought Leon from Getafe for €10 million in the summer of 2010. However, then-Real coach Jose Mourinho rarely used Leon, who was 23 at the time, in the first team and he returned to Getafe on loan one year later before eventually signing for that club on a permanent basis.

He signed for Eibar on a two-year deal last summer.

"It's obvious that because of my history I have more affinity to Real Madrid," Leon, who is 30 years old, said.

"I'm grateful for the year that I was there. It wasn't a good season but it was not due to the club.

"I've always been a Real fan and I have a good relationship with them. But more than anything on Sunday, I want to do my job and help Eibar win. We want to finish the season in eighth place."

Adriana Garcia is a Valencia-based football writer who covers La Liga for ESPN FC.